Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive compulsive disorder is one of a number of anxiety disorders that can affect a person’s life. In this disorder, the person’s behavior is characterized by recurrent, unwanted thoughts and/or repetitive behaviors. Common repetitive behaviors include hand washing, counting, checking, or cleaning. These actions are frequently performed by the affected individual in hopes of making the thought go away.

While the actions do provide some relief from the thoughts, it is only temporary. An individual who does not perform whatever ritual or compulsion he or she needs will markedly increase the level of anxiety present.

In general, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a disorder of the mind. The repetitive thoughts result in compulsive behaviors and mental acts. These actions and behaviors which the afflicted individual is driven to perform must be performed according to rules that the person has made up. The rules must be applied rigidly since they are aimed at preventing some dreaded event. The behaviors or mental acts are not actually connected to the imagined dreaded event.

According to the latest available data, OCD is the fourth most common mental disorder in the United States. It is about as common as asthma and diabetes mellitus. In the United States, it is estimated that about 2% of the adult population is affected to some degree. There is a very real chance that the disorder will have a serious and significant impact on the sufferer’s quality of life.